PREFACE 



Ornithologically this book falls into three natural 

 divisions, each with its own particular appeal. 



The Mediterranean Journals with their lists of birds 

 obtained or seen would be valuable, if only as models 

 of careful work ; but beyond this, such a companion 

 as their recorder must surely add delightful interest to 

 any voyage in the narrow sea. 



None of the natural history has been left out ; the 

 Editor has only ventured to remove (as not in any way 

 material to the record) the greater part of the weather 

 log, with purely personal or social references. 



Although the systematic position and the scientific 

 names of some of the birds have changed since the 

 diaries were written, they are easily recognisable by an 

 ornithologist as they stand : it has therefore seemed 

 well in the great majority of instances to leave them 

 unaltered. 



The letters on his own countryside are, it is true, 



